1. Why are we thrown into Christopher’s mind so suddenly?
Answer: Reading the story from Christopher's perspective introduces his character quickly and efficiently. It makes it easier to explain why Christopher acts the way he does.
2. What, in your opinion, is the strangest of Christopher’s quirks?
Answer: Varied responses. Mentioned were his dislike to certain colours, his car-colour methods of deciding how a day is going to go, and his language (ie: "do sex", instead of "had sex").
3. Christopher often seems to have an indifferent perspective. In what ways does he express emotion?
Answer: While happy, Christopher appears neutral. He expresses fear by running away, anxiety or apprehensiveness by waiting and doing nothing, and stress by sitting on the ground and groaning.
4. Do you think Christopher has more control over his stress levels and outbursts than he shows?
Answer: The general consensus was yes. It was also noted that he gained a lot of confidence throughout the book.
5. Would the book have had the same effect if it was not written from his first person perspective?
Answer: The book wouldn't of been as interesting if it wasn't self-narrated by Christopher. It would be difficult to understand him, and a lot of the interesting parts of the book would be lost. We wouldn't get to enjoy his humorous thoughts, and it would probably be a much shorter book.
6. In which ways had Christopher’s character evolved by where we are in the book now since the beginning?
Answer: Christopher gained confidence throughout the book. Although it took a long time, he made the long and complicated journey from Swindon to his mother's home in London all alone. He began to understand regular society better, and found reasoning for how certain things worked (such as the Underground).
7. Do you think Christopher has an understanding that he is different from others?
Answer: Christopher knows he's different, but doesn't always acknowledge that he is the minority. He often mention flaws in how the general public thinks, and believes that his way of thinking and doing things is better.
8. In which ways did Ed’s character impact Christopher?
Answer: Although Ed make a pretty good effort of taking care of Christopher throughout most of the book, his lies and admittance to killing Wellington finally drove Christopher out of the house. How could he trust his father? What other lies has he been telling? Is he going to kill me next?
9. Despite what he’s done, do you believe Ed is a bad person?
Answer: No. He hasn't had an easy time taking care of Christopher alone, yet he generally keeps his temper and tries to be understanding. His lie of Chris' mother's death is inexcusable, however.
10. From what we know, describe Christopher’s mother’s character.
Answer: On the inside, Christopher's mother is a caring person. She did what she thought was best at the time in the situation when she left. She wrote letters to her son despite thinking that he hated her as he never wrote back, when in reality Ed was hiding the letters.
Christopher hardly ever shows his emotions because, in my opinion, he can't handle them. Whenever he experiences to many emotions he kind of shuts down like in part one when he kneels down on the ground and puts his head down on the grass after Wellington is found dead.
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ReplyDeleteIN REPLY TO: In which ways had Christopher’s character evolved by where we are in the book now since the beginning?
I completely agree. I think he finally did something on his own without his fathers help, which is not only a confidence boost, but a feeling of independence. It shows accomplishment. It’s kinda happy.. He also got experience in the outside world and practice coping with society. His character really changed by the end of the book. Character was a success in the book.
IN REPLY TO: From what we know, describe Christopher’s mother’s character.
ReplyDeleteThis is more of a question that an opinion… The story kind of switches to Chris trying to find his mother. My question is, why was she included? What is her role as a character and how did she benefit the story? I really don’t see a need for her, or for the second half of the story for that matter. Any thoughts?